Tuesday, September 29, 2015

1940s Raincoat Is the BEST EVER

Full of fabulous details, this very geeky-nerdy raincoat from Woman's Day magazine and the 1940s absolutely has enchanted me. It appears to be designed for someone who needs all manner of writing implementss while outdoors in inclement weather. It includes:

a pocket for a retractable key holder

a pocket holder for pens and pencils (with a chain for one of those!)

a holder for 3x5 cards (yes, 3x5 cards!)

an invisible pocket for tissues

Pockets are located at the hips, at the waist, and on the arm - isn't that rather remarkable? I also love the attachable hood with visor.

I have marked up this illustration to point out the spiffy details:

On top of all these neato pocket details, the raincoat is lined, the hood attaches to buttons under the coat collar, and the hip and diagonal front pockets are bound. First class!

I think the hidden tissue pocket is particularly clever, especially having it on the arm, close to the wrist. And the retractable key chain pocket seems ahead of its time. But the 3x5 card pocket is strange to me. I can't quite picture a situation where I'd need those. :)

So I work in my university's library, and it turns out this coat was designed by the USDA's Bureau of Home Economics to wear shopping- the 3x5 card pocket it for your grocery list! There's a sister pattern, too, for a really fun box/bag thing to help carry your heavy bag of groceries, W D 3225, but unfortunately I can't find anything about it, just this! The USDA put out a whole booklet about it, and it's really neat, though honestly pretty geeky.

That is such AWESOME information, Audree!!! I love geeky, and to have this pattern's details explained is a mystery solved. I will have to keep an eye out for WD 3225 - admittedly probably very scarce, so chances not good, but I would love to find it. Such fascinating information! Thank you, thank you, Audree. If you ever have a dull moment and could email me scans of the information you found, I would be so delighted. But if not, just this information is so great. :D

As it is, it turns out the USDA already has it digitized, which makes me wonder what else they have! Here's the link: https://www.nal.usda.gov/exhibits/ipd/apronsandkitchens/exhibits/show/the-bureau-of-home-economics/item/22

Wow!! What a fantastic find! Thanks so much, Audree. I am truly impressed with how well thought out the whole coat is. The photographs are priceless. I love all the details - bus token dispenser! a box for carrying a grocery bag! I love how the booklet illustrates possible uses for the pockets - and that extra security with the zippered pockets. The whole concept is quite charming, totally aside from its remarkable usefulness. What a gem. Thanks again!

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The images in this blog are provided for educational purposes. These images are reproduced from my personal collection of vintage patterns, books, booklets and magazines on sewing and fashion. They are in the public domain with expired copyrights. I do not profit from these images. Images also include photographs sent to me by my customers and reprinted with their permission. The text and images are copyrighted by Midvale Cottage with all rights reserved, and may not be sold.